booking trains in advance

Hi,

I will be spending all of january next year in India. I would like to make it north to Delhi & Varanasi at least, I am arriving in Mumbai. However I want to keep the trip as unplanned as possible. I know I can only book trains 2 months in advance, I would prefer to just buy tickets when I get there. How busy are the trains at that time of the year? Is it more wise to book ahead longer journeys? (like mumbai-delhi) I dont mind going sleeper class.

Also, does sleeper class guarantee you will have a bunk to sleep in, in reality - Or do people just grab whatever they can get? This is my first time in India.
Thanks
Jon

You book your berth in sleeper class, so you're guaranteed a place to sleep without too much hassle (someone might want to swap with you, but most people are pretty polite about it in my experience) - I think second seating is the only class without confirmed seating, if this is wrong one of the train experts will be along to correct me in no time

I was travelling in those areas last December (which has a fairly similar amount of tourists) and had difficulty booking some trains on short notice, there were usually other options like a stop at some station along the way and changing stations there, but they would often involve either a considerably longer trip or hanging out on the platform in the middle of the night (which I'm not a fan of).

I'd prebooked a few legs of the journey and that was all fine, I'm planning to prebook a few more before my next trip to make sure things go as smoothly as possible

Also how cold does it get on the trains in sleeper/AC classes at that time of the year? Particulary up north. I will have a sleeping bag either way.

thanks
jon

Dear che castro,
Your observations:-
""I want to keep the trip as unplanned as possible. I know I can only book trains 2 months in advance, I would prefer to just buy tickets when I get there. How busy are the trains at that time of the year? Is it more wise to book ahead longer journeys?""
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@@@When there is a facility to reserve your Berths 60 Days in Advance, it is better if you book your berths well in advance. Up in North, it will be very cold during January. In South India, normally, during mid-January trains will run packed because of Sankranti Festival.
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@@@Ofcourse, if there are consecutive Holidays, perhaps, even in North, the trains will be run packed.